The devastating flood in Maiduguri, Borno State, has claimed at least 30 lives and displaced approximately 414,000 people, according to reports. Triggered by the overflow of the Alau Dam due to heavy rainfall, the flooding is said to be the worst the city has seen in 30 years. The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) confirmed the loss of lives and massive displacement, while also reporting that 80% of the animals in the Sanda Kyarimi Park zoo had been washed away, with homes, schools, and public infrastructure severely damaged.
The federal government, led by President Bola Tinubu, swiftly intervened, directing relevant agencies to expedite rescue and relief efforts. Vice President Kashim Shettima visited the Borno State capital to assess the situation firsthand. Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno expressed the severity of the situation, noting that one-third of the city had been flooded, affecting over a million people. He announced the allocation of N3 billion from the federal government to aid rehabilitation efforts. The funds will be used to provide essential supplies such as food, healthcare, and other relief items. Additionally, cash distributions of N10,000 were made to affected households as an immediate relief measure. Zulum emphasized that long-term solutions are being developed based on data gathered from the displaced populations.
In the aftermath of the flood, several inmates from the Maiduguri correctional facility escaped after the floodwaters breached the facility’s perimeter. While three inmates have been recaptured, a manhunt is ongoing for the remaining escapees. NEMA has set up nine Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps to shelter the affected, but many flood victims, including women and children, opted to sleep on the streets rather than relocate to the camps. One flood victim, Hassana Shaibu, explained that she couldn’t find the camp in time, and thus, spent the night under a tree with her children. Others, like Salisu Fatti, expressed skepticism about the safety and conditions of the camps, preferring to stay in familiar areas despite the flood.
The Red Cross also reported cases of families narrowly escaping the floodwaters by seeking refuge on higher ground. A resident, identified as Abacha, carried his children through the raging flood to safety on a nearby bridge, emphasizing the gravity of the disaster.
Elsewhere in Nigeria, floods continued to wreak havoc, particularly in Bayelsa State, where heavy rains submerged entire neighborhoods, and residents were seen using buckets to bail water from their homes. Areas like Amarata and Ekeki were particularly affected, and the floods are expected to persist as water levels in the surrounding creeks and rivers rise. Poor town planning, inadequate drainage, and construction on natural waterways exacerbated the situation in the flood-prone state.
Meanwhile, in Benue State, the local government raised concerns about an increase in snake bites in IDP camps. The State Emergency Management Agency reported over 15 cases of snake bites among displaced persons. As a response, the agency has fumigated the camps to prevent further incidents. The state is also working with the World Bank to build 50 shelters for displaced persons and start farm projects to aid recovery efforts.
Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, expressed solidarity with Borno State, acknowledging the similar struggles his state has faced due to flooding. Vice President Shettima emphasized the federal government’s commitment to addressing flood disasters nationwide. He highlighted President Tinubu’s approval of N3 billion for each state to tackle flood-related challenges, while also noting the need for national unity in confronting the cascading effects of climate change and flooding across the country.
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, also extended condolences to Borno State and assured that the National Assembly would support relief and rehabilitation efforts in the affected communities. He emphasized that the legislature stands ready to provide the necessary support to address the crisis comprehensively.